SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #2427 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

MULTITUDINOUS

Possible Answers:

Formidable

Germane

Jejune

Myriad

Daunting

Correct answer:

Myriad

Explanation:

Used an an adjective, "myriad" means many, multitudinous, and innumerable. "Daunting" and "formidable" are synonyms. "Jejune" means uninteresting, while "germane" means relevant to the topic at hand.

Example Question #2428 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RISIBLE

Possible Answers:

Irascible

Heroic

Petulant

Plaintive

Laughable

Correct answer:

Laughable

Explanation:

"Risible" is a synonym for "laughable" or humorous. "Plaintive" means mournful, sad, or pathetic. "Heroic" means brave and valiant. "Irascible" is a synonym for "irritable," as is "petulant."

Example Question #2429 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PRESAGED

Possible Answers:

Foreseen

Parsimonious

Remunerative

Lucrative

Empirical

Correct answer:

Foreseen

Explanation:

"Presaged" means "foreseen," foretold, or predicted. "Lucrative" and "remunerative" are synonyms. "Parsimonious" is another word for stingy or miserly. "Empirical" means based in evidence (as opposed to based in logic or intuition).

Example Question #2430 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

DROLL

Possible Answers:

Veracious

Prolix

Lissome

Craven

Humorous

Correct answer:

Humorous

Explanation:

"Droll" means "humorous" or comical. "Lissome" is another word for supple, lithe, and graceful. "Craven" means abject, cowardly, or feeble. "Prolix" is a synonym for verbose or overly wordy. "Veracious" means truthful, honest.

Example Question #1251 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PICARESQUE

Possible Answers:

Episodic

Insuperable

Meritorious

Assiduous

Myriad

Correct answer:

Episodic

Explanation:

"Picaresque," which is often used in a literary context, describes something that occurs in many episodes, often humorous ones. "Myriad" means many or innumerable. "Insuperable" is another word for overwhelming, impossible to overcome. "Meritorious" means praiseworthy, commendable. "Assiduous" means diligent and hardworking.

Example Question #1252 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

VERACIOUS

Possible Answers:

Excruciating

Apocryphal

Exigent

Ravenous

Truthful

Correct answer:

Truthful

Explanation:

"Veracious" means "truthful," accurate. It's easy to confuse this word with "voracious," which means ravenous, insatiable. "Apocryphal," which means false or fictitious, is an antonym for "veracious." "Excruciating" means extremely painful, and "exigent" means urgent.

Example Question #1253 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

RAMPANT

Possible Answers:

Abhorrent

Widespread

Ephemeral

Meticulous

Analogous

Correct answer:

Widespread

Explanation:

"Rampant" means "widespread" or uncontrolled, such as a rampant wildfire or the rampant spread of disease. "Analogous" means comparable or similar, while "abhorrent" means loathsome or repellent. "Meticulous" is another word for fastidious, extremely attentive to detail. "Ephemeral" means transitory, fleeting.

Example Question #1254 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

INCIPIENT

Possible Answers:

Emergent

Obsequious 

Fecund

Antiquated

Extemporaneous

Correct answer:

Emergent

Explanation:

"Incipient" describes something that is in an early or initial phase, that's "emergent" or just beginning to coalesce. "Antiquated" means old-fashioned, and "obsequious" means sycophantic or servile. "Fecund" means fertile, productive. "Extemporaneous" is a synonym for "impromptu," unplanned.

Example Question #1261 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ECUMENICAL

Possible Answers:

Germane

Irrelevant

catholic

Exuberant

Tyrannical

Correct answer:

catholic

Explanation:

"Ecumenical" and "catholic" both mean all-encompassing, universal. (Don't confuse catholic with "Catholic," a specific religious denomination.) "Germane" is an antonym for "irrelevant." "Exuberant" means overjoyed, while "tyrannical" means authoritarian and cruel.

Example Question #1262 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

LAPIDARY

Possible Answers:

Inchoate

Multitudinous

Elegant

Smug

Scanty

Correct answer:

Elegant

Explanation:

"Lapidary" means "elegant," particularly in a way that is concise. (In fact, the word was originally used to describe jewelers' precise and beautiful work with gemstones.) "Smug" means self-satisfied, and "multitudinous" means numerous or prolific. This is an antonym for "scanty," which means scarce. "Inchoate" describes something that is new and not yet fully formed.

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